Apparatus for measuring a volume flow rate of a controlled medium in a pipeline

ABSTRACT

A device for measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in a pipeline comprises first and second transmitting-receiving radiators installed and spaced on the pipeline and alternately fed with ultrasonic signals. Received after they have passed in and counter the direction of the flow, the signals are digitized and stored. Times of signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the medium and the difference of the times are calculated. Providing an additional unit for the time difference calculation, applying a correlation measuring method and increasing the sampling rate enhance the accuracy in measuring the volume.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National phase application of theInternational application WO 2009/139661 A1 (PCT/RU2008/000429), filedJun. 2, 2008, and claims priority to Russian application 2008118645,filed May 12, 2008, the entire contents of each application being herebyincorporated into the present application by reference in full.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The proposed technical solution relates to a field of measuring meansand devices and can be used for more accurate measuring of the volumeflow rate of a controlled medium in a pipeline.

2. Description of Related Art

Similar technical solutions are known, e.g. see Russian Federationpatent No. 2160887, IPC: G01F 1/66. The prior art publication contains:

-   -   a pipeline with a controlled medium;    -   a first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium and shifted        in relation to the first transmitting-receiving radiator of        ultrasonic signals;    -   a multiplexer whose first and second in-ports are connected to        the out-ports of the first and the second transmitting-receiving        radiator of ultrasonic signals, respectively;    -   an amplifier of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected to        the out-port of the multiplexer;    -   a comparator whose first in-port is connected to the out-port of        the amplifier of ultrasonic signals;    -   an OR-circuit whose first in-port is connected to the out-port        of the comparator;    -   a first univibrator whose in-port is connected to the out-port        of the OR-circuit;    -   a first AND-circuit whose first in-port is connected to the        out-port of the first univibrator;    -   a second univibrator whose in-port is connected to the out-port        of the first univibrator;    -   a second AND-circuit whose first in-port is connected to the        out-port of the first univibrator;    -   a first source of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected        to the out-port of the first AND-circuit, and whose out-port is        connected to the in-port of the first transmitting-receiving        radiator of ultrasonic signals;    -   a second source of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected        to the out-port of the second AND-circuit, and whose out-port is        connected to the in-port of the second transmitting-receiving        radiator of ultrasonic signals;    -   a third AND-circuit;    -   a counter of impulses whose first in-port is connected to the        out-port of the third AND-circuit, and whose out-port is        connected to the first in-port of the third AND-circuit;    -   a successive code approximation register whose first in-port is        connected to the out-port of the counter of impulses;    -   a subtracting unit whose first in-port is connected to the        out-port of the successive code approximation register;    -   a digital-to-analog converter whose in-port is connected to the        out-port of the subtracting unit, and whose out-port is        connected to the second in-port of the comparator;    -   a microprocessor-controlled control driver whose first out-port        is connected to the second in-ports of the first and the second        AND-circuits and to the third control in-port of the        multiplexer, whose second out-port is connected to the second        in-port of the OR-circuit, to the second in-port of the counter        of impulses, and the third in-port of the successive code        approximation register, whose third out-port is connected to the        second in-port of the successive code approximation register,        whose fourth out-port is connected to the second in-port of the        subtracting unit, whose first in-port is connected to the        out-port the of successive code approximation register, and        whose second in-port is connected through a bidirectional bus to        the third in-port of the comparator, to the out-port of the        second univibrator, and to the second in-port of the third        AND-circuit;    -   a microprocessor-controlled unit for computing the time of        ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in a pipeline;    -   a microprocessor-controlled unit for computing the time of        ultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow        of the controlled medium in a pipeline;    -   a microprocessor-controlled unit for computing the time        difference between ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter        the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in a        pipeline;    -   a microprocessor-controlled unit for determining (computing) the        volume flow rate of the controlled medium in a pipeline.

The proposed technical solution and the above-described similar priorart technical solution are characterized by the following commonfeatures:

-   -   a pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium and shifted        in relation to the first transmitting-receiving radiator of        ultrasonic signals;    -   a multiplexer whose first and second in-ports are connected to        the out-ports of the first and the second transmitting-receiving        radiator of ultrasonic signals respectively;    -   an amplifier of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected to        the out-port of the multiplexer;    -   a source of ultrasonic signals;    -   a digital-to-analog converter;    -   a control driver whose first out-port is connected to the third        control in-port of the multiplexer;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the        pipeline;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in        the pipeline;    -   a unit for computing the time difference between ultrasonic        signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline;    -   a unit for determining (computing) the volume flow rate of the        controlled medium in the pipeline;

A different prior art technical solution (see USSR Inventor'sCertificate No. 918790) is believed to be the closest analog to theclaimed solution. It contains:

-   -   a pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium and shifted        in relation to the first transmitting-receiving radiator of        ultrasonic signals;    -   an ultrasound signal source made as a lockable self-excited        oscillator, delay unit whose in-port is connected to the        out-port of the lockable self-excited oscillator, and a        high-voltage pulse driver whose in-port is connected to the        out-port of the delay unit, the first out-port of the ultrasound        signal source being connected to a pin of the first        transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals while its        second out-port being connected to a pin of the second        transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals;    -   a first multiplexer whose first in-port is connected to the pin        of the first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic        signals;    -   a first control unit whose out-port is connected to the second,        control, in-port of the first multiplexer;    -   a second multiplexer whose first in-port is connected to the pin        of the second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic        signals;    -   a second control unit whose out-port is connected to the second,        control, in-port of the second multiplexer;    -   a first ultrasonic signal amplifier whose in-port is connected        to the out-port of the first multiplexer;    -   a first unit for converting ultrasonic signals into square pulse        packets that correspond to the time of ultrasonic signal        transmission in the direction of the flow of controlled medium        in the pipeline, whose in-port is connected to the out-port of        the first ultrasonic signal amplifier;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        in the direction of the flow of controlled medium in the        pipeline, made as a first sampling unit whose in-port is        connected to the out-port of the first unit for converting        ultrasonic signals into square pulse packets;    -   a second amplifier of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is        connected to the out-port of the second multiplexer;    -   a second unit for converting ultrasonic signals into square        pulse packets that correspond to the time of ultrasonic signal        transmission counter the direction of the flow of controlled        medium in the pipeline, whose in-port is connected to the        out-port of the second ultrasonic signal amplifier;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in        the pipeline, made as a second sampling unit whose in-port is        connected to the out-port of the second unit for converting        ultrasonic signals into square pulse packets, and whose out-port        is connected to the in-port of the lockable self-excited        oscillator of the ultrasonic signal source;    -   a unit for computing the delay time difference between        ultrasonic signals transmitted in and counter the direction of        the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline, whose first        in-port is connected to the out-port of the unit for computing        the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of        the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline, and its second        in-port is connected out-port of the unit for computing the time        of ultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the        flow of controlled medium in the pipeline;    -   a modulation pulse generator whose in-port is connected to the        out-port of the first unit for converting ultrasonic signals        into square pulse packets;    -   a first demodulator (low-pass filter) whose in-port is connected        to the out-port of the unit for computing the delay time        difference;    -   a modulator whose first in-port is connected to the out-port of        the modulation pulse generator and whose second in-port is        connected to the out-port of the first demodulator;    -   a second demodulator (low-pass filter) whose in-port is        connected to the out-port of the modulator;    -   a scaling amplifier (a unit for computing a signal proportional        to the controlled medium flow rate in the pipeline) whose        in-port is connected to the out-port of the second demodulator        (low-pass filter).

The claimed technical solution and the above-described similar technicalsolution believed to be the closest analog to the claimed one arecharacterized by the following common features:

-   -   a pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium;    -   a source of ultrasonic signals;    -   a first multiplexer;    -   a second multiplexer one of whose in-ports is connected to the        pin of the second transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic        signals;    -   a control driver (control unit) whose first out-port is        connected to the third, control, in-port of the second        multiplexer;    -   an amplifier of ultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected to        the out-port of the second multiplexer;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the        pipeline;    -   a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in        the pipeline;    -   a unit for computing the time difference between ultrasonic        signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline;    -   a unit for determining (computing) the volume flow rate of the        controlled medium in the pipeline.

The technical result that cannot be achieved with any of theabove-described prior art technical solutions consists of decreasing theerror degree in calculating the difference in time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline.

The reason for impossibility of achieving the above-described technicalresult lies in the fact that the traditional method used whendetermining the difference between the measured time values ofultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline is mostly based on comparingthese measured values and obtaining the difference thereof and does notprovide for measuring this difference fairly enough, which eventuallydoes not allow the accurate computation of the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline, whereas no proper efforts were madeat finding alternative solutions.

Considering the prior art solutions and analyzing them it can beconcluded that the objective of developing equipment for measuring thevolume flow rate of the controlled medium in a pipeline, which ensuresgreater accuracy, remains topical.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-specified technical result is achieved in the presentinvention by providing a device for measuring the volume flow rate ofthe controlled medium in a pipeline, which comprises a firsttransmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals installed on thepipeline with the controlled medium; a second transmitting-receivingradiator of ultrasonic signals installed on the pipeline with thecontrolled medium and shifted in the direction of the controlled mediumflow in the pipeline; a source of ultrasonic signals; a firstmultiplexer; a second multiplexer whose second in-port is connected toan in-port/out-port pin of the second transmitting-receiving radiator ofultrasonic signals; a control driver whose first out-port is connectedto a control in-port of the second multiplexer; an amplifier ofultrasonic signals whose in-port is connected to an out-port of thesecond multiplexer; a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium inthe pipeline; a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission counter the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline; a unit for computing the time difference betweenultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline; and a unit for determining thevolume flow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline. The devicealso comprises a digital-to-analog converter whose first in-port isconnected to an out-port of the ultrasonic signal source, a secondin-port is connected to a second out-port of the control driver, and anout-port is connected to a first in-port of the first multiplexer, whosecontrol in-port is connected to the first out-port of the controldriver, a first out-port is connected to an in-port/out-port pin of thefirst transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals, and asecond out-port is connected to the in-port/out-port pin of the secondtransmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals connected to thefirst in-port of the second multiplexer; an analog-to-digital converterwhose first in-port is connected to an out-port of the ultrasonic signalamplifier; a memory unit connected by its first in-port to an out-portof the analog-to-digital converter whose second in-port is connected tothe second out-port of the control driver, a second in-port of thememory unit is connected to the first out-port of the control driver, afirst out-port of the memory unit is connected to a first in-port of theunit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline, whosesecond in-port is connected to the out-port of ultrasonic signal source,and whose third in-port is connected to a third out-port of the controldriver, a second out-port of the memory unit is connected to a firstin-port of the unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission counter the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline whose second in-port is connected to the out-port of theultrasonic signal source, and whose third in-port is connected to thethird out-port of the control driver, to a first in-port of the unit forcomputing the time difference between ultrasonic signal transmission inand counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline, whose second in-port is connected to the second out-port ofthe memory unit, and whose third in-port is connected to the thirdout-port of the control driver; and an additional unit for computing thetime difference between ultrasonic signal transmission in and counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline whosefirst in-port is connected to the first out-port of the memory unit,whose second in-port is connected to the second out-port of the memoryunit, whose third in-port is connected to a first out-port of the unitfor computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in a pipeline, whosefourth in-port is connected to a first out-port of the unit forcomputing the time difference between ultrasonic signal transmission inand counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline, whose fifth in-port is connected to the out-port of theultrasonic signal source, whose sixth source is connected to a secondout-port of the unit for computing the time difference betweenultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline, whose seventh in-port isconnected to the third out-port of the control driver, and whoseout-port is connected to a first in-port of the unit for computing thevolume flow rate of the controlled medium in the a pipeline whose secondin-port is connected to an out-port of the unit for computing the timeof ultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline, and whose third in-port isconnected to a second out-port of the unit for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline.

Adding the digital-to-analog converter, the analog-to-digital converter,the memory unit, and the additional unit for computing the timedifference between ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline, andconnecting them in the above-described manner allows performing theconversion of digital signals coming from the ultrasonic signal sourceout-port into analog ultrasonic signals and transmitting them via thefirst controlled multiplexer alternately to the first and the secondtransmitting-receiving radiators of ultrasonic signals, which, havingbeen transmitted in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline are alternately applied to the in-portof the ultrasonic signal amplifier through the second controlledmultiplexer. After the amplification, the signals are transmitted to thein-port of the analog-to-digital converter and then digital codes of theultrasonic signals that have been transmitted in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the a pipeline aresent to the appropriate cells of the memory unit according to thecontrol signals being transmitted from the first out-port of the controldriver.

Using these signals, the following actions are performed:

-   -   according to the control signals that are sent from the third        out-port of the control driver to the third in-port of the unit        for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the        direction of the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline, and        depending on the digital signals that are sent from the out-port        of the ultrasonic signal source to the second in-port of the        unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in        the direction of the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline,        and depending on the digital codes sent from the first out-port        of the memory unit to the first in-port of the unit for        computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the        direction of the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline, the        computation of digital codes that correspond to the time (T₁) of        ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline and the position address        (AT₁) of the correlation function maximum value is performed        using correlation processing;    -   according to the control signals that are sent from the third        out-port of the control driver to the third in-port of the unit        for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter        the direction of the flow of controlled medium in the pipeline,        depending on the digital signals that are sent from the out-port        of the ultrasonic signal source to the second in-port of the        unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        counter the direction of the flow of controlled medium in the        pipeline, and depending on the digital codes sent from the        second out-port of the memory unit to the first in-port of the        unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission        counter the direction of the flow of controlled medium in the        pipeline, the computation of digital codes that correspond to        the primary (T₂) time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter        the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the        pipeline is performed using correlation processing;    -   according to the control signals that are sent from the third        out-port of the control driver to the third in-port of the unit        for computing the time difference of ultrasonic signal        transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the        controlled medium in the pipeline, depending on the digital        codes sent from the first and the second out-ports of the memory        unit to the first and the second in-ports of the unit for        computing the time difference of ultrasonic signal transmission        in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlled        medium in the pipeline the computation of digital codes that        correspond to preliminary (rough) values of the time difference        Δ T₀ of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        and the position address (A Δ T₀) of the correlation function        maximum value is performed using correlation processing;    -   according to the control signals sent from the third out-port of        the control driver to the seventh out-port of the additional        unit for computing the time difference of ultrasonic signal        transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the        controlled medium in the pipeline, as well as in compliance with        the signals sent:

to the first in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from thefirst out-port of the memory unit;

to the second in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from thesecond out-port of the memory unit;

to the third in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from thefirst out-port of the unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium inthe pipeline;

to the fourth in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from thefirst out-port of the unit for computing the time difference ofultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline;

to the fifth in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from theout-port of the ultrasonic signal source;

to the sixth in-port of the additional unit for computing the timedifference of ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline from thesecond out-port of unit for computing the time difference of ultrasonicsignal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline,

a more accurate value of the time difference of ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline is obtained in view of the correlation measuringmethod and increasing the sampling rate with the help of interpolators.

Further transmission of the digital code corresponding to a moreaccurate value of difference of ultrasonic signal transmission in andcounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline to the first in-port of the unit for computing the volume flowrate of the controlled medium in the pipeline, as well as thetransmission of the digital codes corresponding to the time (T₂) ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline from the out-port of the unit forcomputing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline to thesecond in-port of the unit for computing the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline, and the transmission of the digitalcodes corresponding to the time (T₁) of ultrasonic signal transmissionin the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipelinefrom the second out-port of the unit for computing time of ultrasonicsignal transmission in the direction of the flow in the pipeline to thethird in-port of the unit for computing the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline, ensures more accurate determination(calculation) of the volume flow rate of the controlled medium using acertain formula, whereby the above-described technical result isachieved.

Conducting analysis of prior art technical solutions has shown that noneof them contains either the whole structure or any of the characteristicfeatures of the present invention which led to the conclusion that theproposed technical solution satisfies such criteria of patentability as“novelty” and “inventive level”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above features and advantages of the present invention will now bediscussed in more detail with the use of the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b to be considered together show a functional diagram ofthe device for measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled mediumin a pipeline;

FIG. 2 shows a functional diagram of a unit for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline;

FIG. 3 shows a functional diagram of a unit for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline;

FIG. 4 shows a functional diagram of a unit for computing the timedifference between ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline;

FIG. 5 shows a functional diagram of an additional unit for computingthe time difference between ultrasonic signal transmission in andcounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline;

FIG. 6 shows a functional diagram of a control driver;

FIG. 7 shows time diagrams that help explain the operating principle ofthe control driver, and

FIG. 8 shows a functional diagram of an ultrasonic signal source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the device 107 for measuring the volume flowrate of the controlled medium in a pipeline (see FIGS. 1 a and 1 b)contains:

-   -   a pipeline 1 with the controlled medium;    -   a first transmitting-receiving radiator 2 of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline 1 with the controlled medium;    -   a second transmitting-receiving radiator 3 of ultrasonic signals        installed on the pipeline 1 with the controlled medium and        shifted in the direction of the controlled medium flow in the        pipeline in relation to the first transmitting-receiving        radiator 2 of ultrasonic signals;    -   a first multiplexer 4 whose first out-port 4.1.out is connected        to a in-port/out-port pin 2.1 of the first        transmitting-receiving radiator 2 of ultrasonic signals, and        whose second out-port 4.2.out is connected is to a        in-port/out-port pin 3.1 of the second transmitting-receiving        radiator 3 of ultrasonic signals;    -   a digital-to-analog converter 5 whose out-port 5.out is        connected to a first in-port 4.1.in of the first multiplexer 4;    -   an ultrasonic signal source 6 whose out-port 6.out is connected        to a first in-port 5.1.in of the digital-to-analog converter 5;    -   a second multiplexer 7, whose second in-port 7.2.in is connected        to the pin 3.1 of the second transmitting-receiving radiator 3        of ultrasonic signals, and whose first in-port 7.1.in is        connected to the pin 2.1 of the first transmitting-receiving        radiator 2 of ultrasonic signals;    -   an ultrasonic signal amplifier 8 with automatic amplification        adjustment, whose in-port 8.in is connected to an out-port 7.out        of the second multiplexer 7;    -   an analog-to-digital converter 9, whose first in-port 9.1.in is        connected to an out-port 8.out of the ultrasonic signal        amplifier 8 with automatic gain control;    -   a memory unit 10 constructed as a first RAM 11, whose first        in-port 11.1.in, as a first in-port 10.1.in of the memory unit        10, is connected to an out-port 9.out of the analog-to-digital        converter 9, and a second RAM 12, whose first in-port 12.1.in,        as the first in-port 10.1.in of the memory unit 10 is also        connected to the out-port 9.out of the analog-to-digital        converter 9;    -   a unit 13 for computing the time of ultrasonic signal        transmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled        medium in the pipeline 1, whose first in-port 13.1.in is        connected to a first out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10 (to        an out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11), and whose second        in-port 13.2.in is connected to the out-port 6.out of the        ultrasonic signal source 6;    -   a unit 14 for computing the time of ultrasonic signal        transmission counter the direction of the flow of the controlled        medium in the pipeline 1, whose first in-port 14.1.in is        connected to a second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10        (to an out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12), and whose second        in-port 14.2.in is connected to the out-port 6.out of the        ultrasonic signal source 6;    -   a unit 15 for computing the time difference between the        ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of        the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, whose first        in-port 15.1.in is connected to the first out-port 10.1.out of        the memory unit 10 (to the out-port 11.1.out of the first RAM        11), and whose second in-port 15.2.in is connected to the second        out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10 (to the out-port 12.out        of the second RAM 12);    -   an additional unit 16 for computing the time difference between        the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction        of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, whose        first in-port 16.1.in is connected to the first out-port        10.1.out of the memory unit 10 (to the out-port 11.out of the        first RAM 11), whose second in-port 16.2.in is connected to the        second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10 (i.e. to the        out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12), whose third in-port        16.3.in is connected to a first out-port 13.1.out of the unit 13        for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        1, whose fourth in-port 16.4.in is connected to a first out-port        15.1.out of the unit 15 for computing the time difference        between the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        1, whose fifth in-port 16.5.in is connected to the out-port        6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6, and whose sixth in-port        16.6.in is connected to a second out-port 15.2.out of the unit        15 for computing the time difference between the ultrasonic        signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline 1;    -   control driver 17 whose first out-port 17.1.out is connected to        a control (second) in-port 4.2.in of the first multiplexer 4, to        a control (third) in-port 2.3.in of the second multiplexer 7, to        the second direct (non-inverted) in-port 11.2.in of the first        RAM 11 (second in-port 10.2.in of the memory unit 10) and to the        second (inverted) in-port 12.2.in of the second RAM 12 (second        in-port 10.2.in of the memory unit 10), whose second out-port        17.2.out is connected to an in-port 6.in of the ultrasonic        signal source 6, to a second in-port 5.2.in of the        digital-to-analog converter 5, and to a second in-port 9.2.in of        the analog-to-digital converter 9, and whose third out-port        17.3.out is connected to a seventh in-port 16.7.in of the        additional unit 16 for computing the time difference between the        ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of        the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, to a third        in-port 13.3.in of the unit 13 for computing the time of        ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, to a third in-port        14.3.in of the unit 14 for computing the time of ultrasonic        signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of the        controlled medium in the pipeline 1, and to a third in-port        15.3.in of the unit 15 for computing the time difference between        the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction        of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1;    -   a unit 18 for determining (computing) the volume flow rate of        the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 whose first in-port        18.1.in is connected to an out-port 16.out of the additional        unit 16 for computing the time difference between the ultrasonic        signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, whose second in-port        18.2.in is connected to an out-port 14.out of the unit 14 for        computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        1, and whose third in-port 18.3.in is connected to a second        out-port 13.2.out of the unit 13 for computing the time of        ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of        the controlled medium in the pipeline 1;    -   a unit 19 for indicating the volume flow rate of the controlled        medium in the pipeline 1 whose in-port 19.in is connected to an        out-port 18.out of the unit 18 for determining (computing) the        volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

The functional diagram of the unit 13 for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled media in the pipeline shown in FIG. 2 contains:

-   -   a multiplier 20, whose first in-port 20.1.in (pin 21) is        connected to the out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11 (to the        first out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10);    -   a delay line 22, whose first in-port 22.1.in (pin 23) is        connected to the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source        6, whose second in-port 22.2.in is connected (through the pin        24) to the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17, and        whose out-port 22.out is connected to a second in-port 20.2.in        of the multiplier 20;    -   an adder 25 whose in-port 25.in is connected to an out-port        20.out of the multiplier 20;    -   a RAM 26, whose first in-port 26.1.in is connected to an        out-port 25.out of the adder 25 and whose second in-port 26.2.in        is connected (through pin 24) to the third out-port 17.3.out of        the control driver 17;    -   a peak detector 27 whose in-port 27.in is connected to an        out-port 26.out of the RAM 26, while an out-port 27.out of the        peak detector 27 (pin 28) is also the first out-port 13.1.out of        the unit 13 for computing the time of ultrasonic signal        transmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled        media in the pipeline 1;    -   a code-to-code converter 29 whose in-port 29.in is connected to        the out-port 27.out of the peak detector 27 while an out-port        29.out of the code-to-code converter 29 (pin 30) is also the        second out-port 13.2.out of the unit 13 for computing the time        of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow        of the controlled media in the pipeline 1;

The functional diagram of the unit 14 for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled media in the pipeline 1 shown in FIG. 3 contains:

-   -   a multiplier 31 whose first in-port 31.1.in is connected        (through pin 32) to the out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12 (to        the second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10);    -   a delay line 33, whose first in-port 33.1.in (pin 34) is        connected to the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source        6, its second in-port 33.2.in is connected (through pin 35) to        the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17, and whose        out-port 33.out is connected to the second in-port 31.2.in of        the multiplier 31;    -   an adder 36, whose in-port 36.in is connected to an out-port        31.out of the multiplier 31;    -   a RAM 37, whose first in-port 37.1.in is connected to an        out-port 36.out of the adder 36 and whose second in-port 37.2.in        is connected (through pin 35) to the third out-port 17.3.out of        the control driver 17;    -   a peak detector 38, whose in-port 38.in is connected to an        out-port 37.out of the RAM 37;    -   a code-to-code converter 39, whose in-port 39.in is connected to        an out-port 38.out of the peak detector 38, while its out-port        39.out (pin 40) is also the out-port 14.out of the unit 14 for        computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter the        direction of the flow of the controlled media in the pipeline.

The functional diagram of the unit 15 for computing the time differencebetween the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the directionof the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline shown in FIG. 4contains:

-   -   a multiplier 41 whose first in-port 41.1.in (through pin 42) is        connected to the out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11 (to the        first out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10);    -   a delay line 43, whose first in-port 43.1.in (through pin 44) is        connected to the out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12 (to the        second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10), whose second        in-port 43.2.in is connected (through pin 45) to the third        out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17, and whose out-port        43.out is connected to a second in-port 41.2.in of the        multiplier 41;    -   an adder 46, whose in-port 46.in is connected to an out-port        41.out of the multiplier 41;    -   a RAM 47 whose first in-port 47.1.in is connected to an out-port        46.out of the adder 46 and whose second in-port 47.2.in is        connected (through pin 45) to the third out-port 17.3.out of the        control driver 17;    -   a peak detector 48 whose in-port 48.in is connected to an        out-port 47.out of the RAM 47, while an out-port 48.out of the        peak detector 48 (through pin 49) is also the first out-port        15.1.out of the unit 15 for computing the time difference        between the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        1;    -   a code-to-code converter 50, whose in-port 50.in is connected to        an out-port 48.out of the peak detector 48, while out-port        50.out of the code-to-code converter 50 (through pin 51) is also        the second out-port 15.2.out of the unit 15 for computing the        time difference between the ultrasonic signal transmission in        and counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium        in the pipeline 1.

The functional diagram of the additional unit 16 for computing the timedifference between the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 shownin FIG. 5 contains:

-   -   a first comparator 52, whose first in-port 52.1.in (pin 53) is        connected to the out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11 (to the        first out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10), and whose second        in-port 52.2.in is connected to the case of the device 107 for        measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the        pipeline 1;    -   a second comparator 54, whose first in-port 54.1.in is connected        to a out-port 52.out of the first comparator 52, and whose        second in-port 54.2.in (through pin 55 and through pin 28 (see        FIG. 2)) is connected to the out-port 27.out of the peak        detector 27 (to the first out-port 13.1.out of the unit 13 for        computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the        direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline        1);    -   a first univibrator 56, whose in-port 56.in is connected to an        out-port 54.out of the second comparator 54;    -   a first switch 57, whose control in-port 57.1.in is connected to        an out-port 56.out of the first univibrator 56, whose first        information in-port 57.2.in (through pin 53) is connected to the        out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11 (to the first out-port        10.1.out of the memory unit 10), and whose second information        in-port 57.3.in is connected to the case of the device 107 for        measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the        pipeline 1;    -   a first adder 58, whose first in-port 58.1.in is connected to        the out-port 54.out of the second comparator 54, and whose        second in-port 58.2.in (through pin 59 and pin 49, see FIG. 4)        is connected to the out-port 48.out of the peak detector 48,        i.e. to the first out-port 15.1.out of the unit 15 for computing        the time difference between the ultrasonic signal transmission        in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlled        medium in the pipeline 1;    -   a second univibrator 60 whose in-port 60.in is connected to an        out-port 58.out of the first adder 58;    -   a second switch 61, whose control in-port 61.1.in is connected        to an out-port 60.out of the second univibrator 60, whose first        information in-port 61.2.in (through pin 62) is connected to the        out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12 (to the second out-port        10.2.out of the memory unit 10), and whose second information        in-port 61.3.in is connected to the case of the device 107 for        measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the        pipeline 1;    -   a first multiplier 63, whose first in-port 63.1.in is connected        to an out-port 57.out of the first switch 57;    -   a first delay line 64, whose first in-port 64.1.in is connected        (through a phase changer 65 and pin 66) to the out-port 6.out of        the ultrasonic signal source 6, whose second in-port 64.2.in is        connected (through pin 67) to the third out-port 17.3.out of the        of the control driver 17, and whose out-port 64.out is connected        to a second in-port 63.2.in of the first multiplier 63;    -   a second adder 68, whose in-port 68.in is connected to an        out-port 63.out of the first multiplier 63;    -   a first RAM 69, whose first in-port 69.1.in is connected to an        out-port 68.out of the second adder 68 and whose second in-port        69.2.in is connected (through pin 67) to the third out-port        17.3.out of the control driver 17;    -   a first interpolator 70, whose in-port 70.in is connected to an        out-port 69.out of the first RAM 69;    -   a first null detector 71, whose in-port 71.in is connected to an        out-port 70.out of the first interpolator 70;    -   a first code-to-code converter 72, whose in-port 72.in is        connected to an out-port 71.out of the first null detector 71;    -   a second multiplier 73, whose first in-port 73.1.in is connected        to an out-port 61.out of the second switch 61;    -   a second delay line 74, whose first in-port 74.1.in is connected        (through the phase changer 65 and pin 66) to the out-port 6.out        of the ultrasonic signal source 6, whose its second in-port        74.2.in is connected (through pin 67) to the third out-port        17.3.out of the of the control driver 17, and whose out-port        74.out is connected to a second in-port 73.2.in of the second        multiplier 73;    -   a third adder 75, whose in-port 75.in is connected to an        out-port 73.out of the second multiplier 73;    -   a second RAM 76, whose first in-port 75.1.in is connected to        out-port 75.out of the third adder 75 and whose second in-port        75.2.in is connected (through pin 67) is connected to the third        out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17;    -   a second interpolator 77, whose in-port 77.in is connected to        the out-port of the second RAM 76;    -   a second null detector 78, whose in-port 78.in is connected to        an out-port 77.out of the second interpolator 77;    -   a second code-to-code converter 79, whose in-port 79.in is        connected to an out-port 78.out of the second null detector 78;    -   a fourth adder 80, whose first in-port 80.1.in is connected to        an out-port 72.out of the first code-to-code converter 72, whose        second, inverted, in-port 80.2.in is connected to an out-port        79.out of the second code-to-code converter 79, and whose third        in-port 80.3.in is connected (through pin 81 and pin 51, see        FIG. 4) to the second out-port 15.2.out of the unit 15 for        computing the time difference between the ultrasonic signal        transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the        controlled medium in the pipeline 1. And an out-port 80.out of        the fourth adder 80 (pin 82) is also the out-port 16.out of the        additional unit 16 for computing the time difference between the        ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of        the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

The functional diagram of the control driver 17 shown in FIG. 6contains:

-   -   a quartz generator 83 of high-frequency sine voltage;    -   a high frequency sine—square pulse train converter 84, whose        in-port 84-in is connected to an out-port 83.out of the quartz        generator 83;    -   a first divider 85, whose in-port 85.in is connected to an        out-port 84.out of the high frequency sine—square pulse train        converter 84, and the out-port 85.out of the first divider 85        (pin 86) is also the first out-port 17.1.out of the control        driver 17;    -   a second divider 87, whose in-port 87.in is connected to the        out-port 84.out of the high frequency sine—square pulse train        converter 84;    -   an AND-circuit 88, whose first in-port 88.1.in is connected to        an out-port 87.out of the second divider 87;    -   a third divider 89, whose in-port 89.in is connected to the        out-port 84.out of the high frequency sine—square pulse train        converter 84 and an out-port 89.out is connected a second        in-port 88.2.in of the AND-circuit 88;    -   an OR-NOT circuit 90, whose first in-port 90.1.in is connected        to the out-port 89.out of the third divider, and whose second        in-port 90.2.in is connected to the out-port 87.out of the        second divider 87;    -   a first switch 91, whose first information in-port 91.1.in is        connected to the out-port 84.out of the high frequency        sine—square pulse train converter 84, whose second information        in-port 91.2.in is connected to the case of the device 107 for        measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the        pipeline 1, and whose control in-port 91.3.in is connected to an        out-port 90.out of the AND-OR-circuit 90, while an out-port        91.out of the first switch 91 (pin 92) is the third out-port        17.3.out of the control driver 17;    -   a second switch 93, whose first information in-port 93.1.in is        connected to the out-port 84.out of the high frequency        sine—square pulse train converter 84, whose second information        in-port 93.2.in is connected to the case of the device 107 for        measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the        pipeline 1, and whose control in-port 93.3.in is connected to an        out-port 88.out of the AND-circuit 88, while the out-port 93.out        of the second switch 93 (pin 94) is the second out-port 17.2.out        of the control driver 17;

The following codes are used for time diagrams of the control driverthat are shown in FIG. 7:

-   -   “a”—rectangular impulses at the out-port 85.out of the first        divider 85 (pin 86);    -   “b”—rectangular impulses at the out-port 87.out of the second        divider 87;    -   “c”—rectangular impulses at the out-port 89.out of the third        divider 89;    -   “d”—rectangular impulses at the control in-port 93.3.in of the        second switch 93;    -   “e”—rectangular impulses at the control in-port 91.3.in of the        first switch 91;    -   “f”—rectangular impulses at the out-port 93.out of the second        controlled switch 93 (pin 94);    -   “g”—rectangular impulses at the output 91.out of the first        controlled switch 91 (pin 92).

The ultrasonic signal source 6, whose functional diagram is shown inFIG. 8, contains:

-   -   a DC power source (shown by its positive and negative pins);    -   a first resistor 95, whose first pin 95.1 is connected to a        positive pin of the DC power source;    -   a first switch 96, whose first pin 96.1 is connected to a        negative pin of the DC power source, and whose second pin 96.2        is connected to a second pin 95.2 of the first resistor 95;    -   a second resistor 97, whose first pin 97.1 is connected to the        positive pin of the DC power source;    -   a second switch 98 whose first pin 98.1 is connected to the        negative pin of the DC power source, and whose second pin 98.2        is connected to a second pin 97.2 of the second resistor 97;    -   a third resistor 99, whose first pin 99.1 is connected to the        positive pin of the DC power source;    -   a third switch 100, whose first pin 100.1 is connected to the        negative pin of the DC power source, and whose second pin 100.2        is connected to the second pin 99.2 of the third resistor 99;    -   a fourth resistor 101, whose first pin 101.1 is connected to the        positive pin of the DC power source;    -   a fourth switch 102, whose first pin 102.1 is connected to the        negative pin of the DC power source, and whose second pin 102.2        is connected to the second pin 101.2 of the fourth resistor 101;    -   an adder 103 whose first, second, third, and fourth in-ports        103.1.in 103.4.in are connected to the second pins of the first,        second, third, and fourth switches 96.2, 98.2, 100.2, and 102.2,        respectively, whereas a fifth in-port 103.5.in of the adder 103        is connected to an out-port 103.out of the adder 103, and its        sixth in-port 103.6.in is connected (through pin 104 and pin 94        (see FIG. 6)) to the second out-port 17.2.out of the control        driver 17;    -   a memory unit 105, whose in-port 105.in is connected to the        out-port 103.out of the adder 103, while an out-port 105.out of        the memory unit 105 (pin 106) is the out-port 6.out of the        ultrasonic signal source 6.

IC AD5424 published in the source ©2005 Analog Devices, Inc.C03160-0-3/05(A) may be used as the digital-to-analog converter.

RAM CY6264 published in the source “Cypress Semiconductor Corporation”,1996. 38-00425-A may be used as the first RAM (non-inverted) 11 and thesecond RAM (inverted) 12 (memory unit 10).

IC KR1533IR7 together with micro-circuits KR1533KP7, published on pp.121 . . . 194 of the guide “Logical Integral systems KR1533,KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V. Pribylsky,A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the controlled delaylines—22, 33, 43, 64 and 74.

Multipliers described on p. 147 of the book “Digital devices based onintegral circuits in communication equipment”—Moscow, “SvyazPublishing”, 1979, by L. M. Goldenberg, Yu. T. Butylsky, M. N. Polyak,may be used as the multipliers 20, 31, 41, 63 and 73.

Adders MC74F283 published in the source Motorola, “Fast and LS TTL Data”4-146 may be used as the adders 25, 36, 46, 68 and 75.

RAM CY6264 published in the source “Cypress Semiconductor Corporation”1996. 38-00425-A, may be used as RAM 26, 37, 47, 69 and 76.

Interpolators described on p. 633 in the book by Emmanual C. Ifeachor,Barrie W. Jervis “Digital Signal Processing: A Practical Approach”,2^(nd) Edition: translated from English—Moscow, “Williams Publishing”,2004, may be used as the first and the second interpolators 70 and 77.

Code-to-code converters described on p. 318 in the guide by U. Titze, K.Schenk “Semiconductor Circuit Engineering”, translated fromGerman—Moscow, Mir Publishing, 1982, may be used as the code-to-codeconverters 29, 39, 50, 72 and 79.

IC SN74LS682 published in the source Motorola, “Fast and LS TTL Data”5-60 may be used as the first and the second comparators 52 and 54.

IC KR1533AG3 published on p. 28 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the first andthe second univibrators 56 and 60.

IC KR1533LAZ published on p. 226 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the AND-circuit88.

IC KR1533LL1 published on p. 268 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the OR-NOTcircuit-90.

Adders MC74F283 published in the source Motorola, “Fast and LS TTL Data”4-146 may be used as adders 58, 80 and 103.

Quartz generator described on p. 317 in the guide by P. Horovitz, W.Hill “The Art of Circuit Engineering”, Issue 1, translated from English,4^(th) Edition, Revised and Updated—Moscow, Mir Publishing, 1993, may beused as the quartz generator 83.

IC SN74LS682 published in the source Motorola, “Fast and LS TTL Data”5-603 may be used as null detectors 71 and 78.

IC KR1533KP16 published on p. 211 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the switches 96,98, 100 and 102.

IC MAX941 published in the source 2007 Maxim Integrated Products19-0229; Rev 7; 2/07 may be used as the high frequency sine—square pulsetrain converter 84.

IC KR1533IE1 published on p. 82 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev, may be used as the first, thesecond, and the third dividers 85, 87 and 89.

IC KR1533KP16 published on p. 211 in the guide “Logical Integral systemsKR1533, KR1554”.—Moscow: LLP “Binom”, 1993 by I. I. Petrovsky, A. V.Pribylsky, A. A. Troyan, V. S. Chuvelev may be used as the controlledswitches 57, 61, 91 and 93.

Controller MC68HC711E9 described on p. 242 in the guide by I. I.Shagurin “Motorola Microprocessors and Microcontrollers”—Moscow, Radio ISvyaz Publishing, 1998, may be used as the unit for measuring the volumeflow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline (computing unit) 18.

All other elements included in the device for measuring the volume flowrate of the controlled medium in the pipeline are widely-known and havebeen published in the literature on computing equipment.

However, it should be noted that the following units:

-   6—ultrasonic signal source;-   9—A/D converter;-   10—memory unit containing RAM 11 and 12;-   13—unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in    the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline;-   14—unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission    counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the    pipeline;-   15—unit for computing the time difference between ultrasonic signal    transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the    controlled medium in the pipeline;-   16—additional unit for computing the time difference between    ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the    flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline;-   17—control driver; and-   18—unit for measuring the volume flow rate of the controlled medium    in the pipeline

may be hardware-based, hardware-and-software-based, or software-based,e.g. by using the processor DSP TMS320F28332 published in the sourceTexas Instruments. SPRS439-June 2007.

In operation of the device 107, control signals are formed by thecontrol driver 17. High frequency sine voltage is generated in thequartz generator 83 (see FIG. 6), and is converted by the converter 84into the sequence of pulses of rectangular shape to be applied to thein-ports of the first divider 85, second divider 87, and the thirddivider 89, which produce the following pulse trains according to setdivision factors:

-   -   at the out-port 85.out of the first divider 85—a sequence of        rectangular impulses (see FIG. 7, pos. ‘a’), which are the        control impulses sent from the out-port 85.out of the first        divider 85 (through pin 86) to the second in-port 4.2.in of the        first multiplexer 4, to the third in-port 7.3.in of the second        multiplexer 7, and to the second in-port 10.2.in of the memory        unit 10 (to the inverted second in-port 12.2.in of the second        RAM 12, and the direct second in-port 11.2.in of the first RAM        11);    -   at the out-port 87.out of the second divider 87—a sequence of        rectangular impulses (see FIG. 7, pos. ‘b’), which is sent to        the first in-port 88.1.in of the AND-circuit 88 and the second        in-port 90.2.in of the OR-NOT-circuit 90;    -   at the out-port 89.out of the third divider 89—a sequence of        rectangular impulses (see FIG. 7, pos. ‘c’), which is sent to        the second in-port 88.2.in of the AND-circuit 88 and the first        in-port 90.2.in of the OR-NOT-circuit 90.

By sending rectangular impulses to the in-ports of the AND-circuit 88,the control signal for controlling the second switch 93 is formed (seeFIG. 7, pos. ‘d’) at its out-port 88.out.

By sending rectangular impulses to the in-ports of the AND-OR-circuit90, the control signal for controlling the first switch 91 is formed(see FIG. 7, pos. ‘e’) at its out-port 90.out.

As the second switch 93 is triggered, rectangular impulses (see FIG. 7,pos.‘f’) appear at its out-port 93.out (pin −94, see FIG. 6). Theseimpulses serve as the control signals for the digital-to-analogconverter 5 (they are sent to its second in-port 5.2.in), the controlsignals for the analog-to-digital converter 9 (they are sent to itssecond in-port 9.2.in) and the control signals for the ultrasonic signalsource 6, which are sent to its in-port 6.in (to pin 104 and then to thesixth in-port 103.6.in of the adder 103, see FIG. 8).

As the first switch 91 is triggered, rectangular impulses (see FIG. 7,pos. ‘g’) appear at its out-port 91.out (pin 92, see FIG. 6). They serveas the control signals: for delay lines 22 (FIG. 2); 33 (FIG. 3); 43(FIG. 4); 64 (FIG. 5); 74 (FIG. 5) and for RAM 26 (FIG. 2), 37 (FIG. 3),47 (FIG. 4), 69 and 76 (FIG. 5).

Digital ultrasonic signals that appear at the out-port 6.out pin 106 inFIG. 8) of the ultrasonic signal source 6 are formed by connecting thefirst pins 95.1, 97.1, 99.1, and 101.1 of the first, the second, thethird, and the fourth resistors 95, 97, 99 and 101 directly, andconnecting their second pins 95.1, 97.2, 99.2 and 101.2 through thefirst, the second, the third, and the fourth switches 96, 98, 100 and102, to the pins of the DC power source, supplying voltages as codes(e.g. 1.0.1.1.) from the second pins of the first, the second, thethird, and the fourth resistors 95, 97, 99 and 101 to the respectivein-ports 103.1.in, 103.2.in, 103.3.in and 103.4.in of the adder 103,summing the codes sent to its in-ports by each leading edge of thecontrol signals sent from the out-port 17.2.out of the control driver 17(to pin 104 and to the sixth in-port 103.6.in of the adder 103, see FIG.8) and sending the code from the out-port 103.out of the adder 103 tothe address in-port 105.in of the memory unit 105, in which thepre-recorded digital codes of the sine signal are stored. From theoutput 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6, the digital ultrasonicsignals are transmitted to the first in-port 5.1.in of thedigital-to-analog converter 5, which converts the digital ultrasonicsignals into analog signals that go to the first in-port 4.1.in of thefirst multiplexer 4. From the first out-port 17.1.out of the controldriver 17 the sequence of impulses is transmitted to the second,control, in-port 4.2.in of the first multiplexer 4. This sequence ofimpulses sets the connection between the digital-to-analog converter 5out-port 5.out and the first, 4.1.out, or the second, 4.2.out, out-portof the first multiplexer 4. As this takes place, from the first out-port4.1.out of the first multiplexer 4 analog ultrasonic signals aretransmitted to the first transmitting-receiving radiator 2 of ultrasonicsignals to subsequently pass in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, whereas from the second out-port4.2.out of the first multiplexer 4 analog ultrasonic signals aretransmitted to the second transmitting-receiving radiator 3 tosubsequently pass counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1.

From the pin 2.in/out of the first transmitting-receiving radiator 2 ofultrasonic signals ultrasonic signals that have passed counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 aredelivered to the first in-port 7.1.in of the second multiplexer 7.

From the pin 3.in/out of the second transmitting-receiving radiator 3 ofultrasonic signals ultrasonic signals that have passed in the directionof the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 are delivered tothe second in-port 7.2.in of the second multiplexer 7.

By the action of the control impulses transmitted from the firstout-port 17.1.out of the control driver 17 to the third, control,in-port 7.3.in of the second multiplexer 7, ultrasonic signals that havepassed in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline 1 are alternately delivered from the output 7.out of thesecond multiplexer 7 to the in-port 8.in of the ultrasonic signalamplifier 8, which, using the automatic gain control, ensures thenecessary signal level at the first in-port 9.1.in of theanalog-to-digital converter 9, the second in-port 9.2.in of whichreceives impulse signals from the second out-port 17.2.out of thecontrol driver 17 that secure converting the analog ultrasonic signalsinto digital codes at the sampling rate “f₁” and the alternate receptionof the digital codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in andcounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1 at the out-port 9.out of the analog-to-digital converter 9.

Digital codes of the ultrasonic signals that have passed in and counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 aresent from the out-port 9.out of the analog-to-digital converter 9 to thefirst in-port 10.1.in of the memory unit 10, and then to the firstin-port 11.1.in of the first RAM 11 and the first in-port 12.1.in of thesecond RAM 12. Controlled by the impulses sent from the first out-port17.1.out of the control driver 17 to the second in-port 10.2.in of thememory unit 10 (to the inverted second in-port 12.2.in of the second RAM12 and the second (direct) in-port 11.2.in of the first RAM 11), thedigital codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 are written into thecells of the first RAM 11, and the digital codes of ultrasonic signalsthat have passed counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 are written into the cells of the second RAM12, respectively.

Digital codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 are transmitted fromthe out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11 and, respectively, from thefirst out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10, to the first in-port13.1.in (pin 21) of the unit 13 for computing the time of ultrasonicsignal transmission in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1, and then to the first in-port 20.1.in of themultiplier 20 (see FIG. 2). Digital codes of ultrasonic signals aretransmitted from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6(from the out-port 105.out of the memory unit 105, from the pin 106) tothe second in-port 13.2.in (pin 23 and then to the first in-port 22.2.inof the delay line 22) of the unit 13 for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1. Controlling signals are transmittedfrom the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from theout-port 91.out of the first switch 91, from pin 92 (see FIG. 6)) to thethird in-port 13.3.in (to pin 24 (see FIG. 2) and then to the secondin-port 22.2.in of the delay line 22) of the unit 13 for computing thetime of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

Thus, the codes of ultrasonic signals digitized at the sampling rate of“f₁” that have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 are sent to the first in-port 20.1.in of themultiplier 20 (see FIG. 2), and the codes of ultrasonic signals from theout-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6 are sent to the firstin-port 22.1.in of the delay line 22 controlled by the control impulsesreceived from the third out-port 17.3.out (from pin 92, see FIG. 6) ofthe control driver 17 with the sampling rate of “f₁” (see FIG. 7, pos.‘g’), and, with each leading edge of the control impulses, the delaytime of the delay line 22 changes by one interval “1/f₁”, to therebysecure transmitting the codes of ultrasonic signals, delayed for “0÷N”intervals of sampling rate equal to “f₁” (depending on the controlsignal leading edge number) from the output 6.out of the ultrasonicsignal source 6 to the second in-port 20.2.in of the multiplier 20.

Multiplier 20 performs the point-by-point multiplication of the codessent to its first and second in-ports 20.1.in and 20.2.in. The result ofthe point-by-point multiplication is sent to the in-port 25.in of theadder 25, in which the value of the correlation function of theultrasonic signal codes for signals that have passed in the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 and the ultrasonicsignal codes received from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signalsource 6 is obtained at its out-port 25.out after summing up the productof the respective points.

The obtained value of the correlation function of codes is recorded intothe cells of the RAM 26 by the trailing edge of the control signal(impulse) transmitted from the third out-port 17.3.out of the controldriver 17 to the second in-port 26.2.in of the RAM 26.

Thus, after the “N” control signal impulses have passed, the RAM 26contains the mutual correlation function of the codes of ultrasonicsignals that have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1, and the codes of ultrasonic signals receivedfrom the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6, which is sentto the in-port 27.in of the peak detector 27 which determines the codeof the position address for the correlation function maximum valuerecorded in the RAM 26.

From the output 27.out of the peak detector 27, the code of the positionaddress for the maximum value of the correlation function of the codesof ultrasonic signals, which have passed in the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1, and the codes of ultrasonicsignals received from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source6 is sent to the out-port 13.1.out (pin 28) of the unit 13 for computingthe time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, and to the in-port 29.in ofthe code-to-code converter 29, at whose out-port 29.out a code of timeintervals between the ultrasonic signals that enter the controlledmedium of the pipeline 1 and the ultrasonic signals that have passed inthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline (i.e.the code that corresponds to the time of ultrasonic signal transmissionin the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1)is formed.

Digital codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 aretransmitted from the out-port 12.out of the second RAM 12 and,respectively, from the second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10 tothe first in-port 14.1.in (to pin 32 and then to the in-port 31.in ofthe multiplier 31, see FIG. 3) of the unit 14 for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1.

From the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6 (from theout-port 105.out of the memory unit 105, from pin 106), digital codes ofultrasonic signals are sent to the second in-port 14.2.in (to pin 34 andthen to the first in-port 33.1.in of the delay line 33) of the unit 14for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1. Fromthe third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from the out-port91.out of the first switch 91, from pin 92 (see FIG. 6)) control signalsare sent to the third in-port 14.3.in (to pin 35 (see FIG. 3) and thento the second in-port 33.2.in of the delay line 33)) of the unit 14 forcomputing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

That is, the codes of ultrasonic signals digitized at the sampling rateof “f₁” that have passed counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1 enter the first in-port 31.1.in ofthe multiplier 31 (see FIG. 3) and the codes of ultrasonic signals fromthe out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6 enter the firstin-port 33.1.in of the delay line 33, which is controlled by the controlimpulses provided from the third out-port 17.3.out (from pin 92, seeFIG. 6) of the control driver 17 at the sampling rate of “f₁” (see FIG.7, pos. ‘g’), and the delay time of the delay line 33 changes by eachleading edge of the control signals by one interval equal to “1/f₁”,whereby providing the codes of ultrasonic signals, delayed for “0÷N”intervals of sampling rate equal to “f₁” depending on the number of thecontrol signal leading edge, to the second in-port 31.2.in of themultiplier 31 is secured.

Multiplier 31 performs the point-by-point multiplication of the codesthat entered its first, 31.1.in, and second, 31.2.in, in-ports. Theresult of the point-by-point multiplication appears at the in-port 36.inof the adder 36, from which, after summing up the products of therespective points, the value of the correlation function of the codes ofthe ultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 and of the ultrasonicsignal codes received from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signalsource 6 is obtained at its out-port 36.out. By the trailing edge of thecontrol signal (impulse) transmitted from the third out-port 17.3.out ofthe control driver 17 to the second in-port 37.2.in of the RAM 37, theobtained value of the correlation function of codes is written into thecells of the RAM 37.

Thus, after the “N” control signal impulses have passed, the RAM 37contains the mutual correlation function of the codes of ultrasonicsignals that have passed counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, and the codes of ultrasonic signalsreceived from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6,which is sent to the in-port 38.in of the peak detector 38 whichdetermines the code of the position address for the correlation functionmaximum value recorded in the RAM 37.

From the output 38.out of the peak detector 38, the code of the positionaddress for the maximum value of the correlation function of the codesof ultrasonic signals, which have passed counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, and of the codes ofultrasonic signals received from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonicsignal source 6 enters the in-port 39.in of the code-to-code converter39, at whose out-port 39.out a code of time intervals between theultrasonic signals that enter the controlled medium of the pipeline 1and the ultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline (i.e. the code thatcorresponds to the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1) isformed.

From the out-port 11.out of the first RAM 11, and, from the firstout-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10 respectively, the digital codesof ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1 are sent to the first in-port15.1.in (to pin 42 and then the in-port 41.1.in of the multiplier 41,see FIG. 4) of the unit 15 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1. From the out-port 12.out ofthe second RAM 12, and the second out-port 10.2.out of the memory unit10 respectively, the digital codes of ultrasonic signals that havepassed counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1 are sent to the second in-port 15.2.in (to pin 44 and thenthe first in-port 43.1.in of the delay line 43, see FIG. 4) of the unit15 for computing the time difference of the ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1.

From the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from theout-port 91.out of the first switch 91, and further from pin 92 (seeFIG. 6)), control signals are provided to the third in-port 15.3.in (topin 45 and then to the second in-port 43.2.in of the delay line 43 (seeFIG. 4)) of the unit 15 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

That is, the codes of ultrasonic signals digitized at the sampling rateof “f₁” that have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 enter the first in-port 41.1.in of themultiplier 41 (see FIG. 4) and the codes of ultrasonic signals digitizedat the sampling rate of “f₁” that have passed counter the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 enter the firstin-port 43.1.in of the delay line 43 controlled by the control signalsreceived from the third out-port 17.3.out (from pin 92, see FIG. 6) ofthe control driver 17 with the sampling rate of “f₁” (see FIG. 7, pos.‘g’), the delay line 43 delay time changing by one interval equal to“1/f₁” with each leading edge of the control signals, whereby providingthe codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed counter the directionof the flow of the controlled media in the pipeline 1 and been delayedfor “0÷N” intervals of sampling rate equal to “f₁” (depending on thenumber of the control signal leading edge) to the second in-port 41.2.inof the multiplier 41 is secured.

Multiplier 41 performs the point-by-point multiplication of the codesthat entered its first, 41.1.in, and second, 41.2.in, in-ports. Thepoint-by-point multiplication result is applied to the in-port 46.in ofthe adder 46, in which the value of the correlation function of theultrasonic signal codes for signals that have passed in the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 and signals thathave passed counter the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline 1 is obtained at its out-port 41.out after summing upthe products of the respective points.

By the trailing edge of the control signal (impulse) transmitted fromthe third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 to the secondin-port 47.2.in of the RAM 47, the obtained value of the correlationfunction of codes is written into the cells of the RAM 47.

Thus after “N” control signal impulses have passed, the RAM 47 containsthe mutual correlation function of the codes of ultrasonic signals thathave passed in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1 and ultrasonic signals that have passed counter the directionof the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, which is sent tothe in-port 48.in of the peak detector 48 which determines the code ofthe position address for the correlation function maximum value writtenin the RAM 47.

The code of the position address for maximum value of the correlationfunction of the codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 and thecodes of ultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 enters pin 49 of theunit 15 for computing the time difference of the ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 and the in-port 50.in of the code-to-codeconverter 50, at whose out-port 50.out (pin 51, output 15.2.out of theunit 15) code (ΔT₀) of the time difference of the ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 is formed.

From the first out-port 10.1.out of the memory unit 10 (from theout-port 11.out of the RAM 11) the codes of ultrasonic signals that havepassed in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1 and digitized at the sampling rate of “f₁” enter the firstin-port 16.1.in (to pin 53 and then the first in-port 52.1.in of thefirst comparator 52, see FIG. 5) of the additional unit 16 for computingthe time difference of the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

At the out-port 52.out of the first comparator 52, an array of addresscodes corresponding to the moment of zero crossing for the codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1 is formed as the result of comparingthe codes of ultrasonic signals digitized with the sampling rate of “f₁”and having passed in the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline 1 with zero.

The obtained array of address codes is sent to the first in-port 54.1.inof the second comparator 54, to the second in-port 54.2.in of which (topin 55, to the third in-port 16.3.in of the additional unit 16 forcomputing the time difference of the ultrasonic signal transmission inand counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1) the code of the position address for maximum value of thecorrelation function, stored in the RAM 26 is sent from the firstout-port 13.1.out of the unit 13 for computing the time of ultrasonicsignal transmission in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 (from the out-port 27.out of the peak detector27 (from pin 28, see FIG. 2)).

As the result of comparing the codes sent to the first, 54.1.in, and thesecond, 54.2.in, in-ports of the second comparator 54, code of zerocrossing moment address for codes of ultrasonic signals that have passedin the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1,which is the closest to the code of the position address for maximumvalue of the correlation function, recorded in the RAM 26 (see FIG. 2)will be determined at its out-port.

The obtained code of zero crossing moment address for codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, which is the closest to the code ofthe position address for maximum value of the correlation functionstored in the RAM 26, enters the in-port 56.in of the first univibrator56 and starts it up. Thus, a signal for controlling the first switch 57will be formed at the out-port 56.out of the first univibrator 56.Transmitted to the first in-port 57.1.in of the switch 57 are the codesof ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1, while its second in-port57.2.in will receive a zero signal.

By the action of the control signal, a part of codes of ultrasonicsignals digitized with the sampling rate of “f₁” and having passed inthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1will appear at the out-port 57.out of the first switch 57.

Delivered from the out-port 54.out of the second comparator 54 to thefirst in-port 58.1.in of the first adder 58 is the code of zero crossingmoment address for codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 whichis the closest to the code of the position address for maximum value ofthe correlation function written in the RAM 26 (see FIG. 2), whereasprovided to the second in-port 58.2.in of the first adder 58 (to pin 59,the fourth in-port 16.4.in of the additional unit-16 for computing thetime difference of the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1) fromthe first out-port of the unit 15 for computing the time difference ofthe ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 (from the out-port ofthe peak detector 48 (from the pin 49, see FIG. 4)) is the code of theposition address for the maximum value of the correlation function ofthe codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 and the codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1.

The result of summing up the codes that were sent to the first, 58.1.in,and the second, 58.2.in, in-ports of the first adder 58, is sent to thein-port 60.in of the second univibrator 60 and starts it up. Thus, asignal for controlling (via the input 61.1.in) the second switch 61 willbe formed at the out-port 60.out of the second univibrator 60. Sent tothe first in-port 61.2.in of the switch (to pin 62, from the secondout-port 10.2.out of the memory unit 10, from the out-port 12.out of thesecond RAM 12, see FIG. 1) are the codes of ultrasonic that have passedcounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1, while its second in-port 61.3.in will receive zero signal.It is to be understood that pin 62 is the second in-port 16.2.in of theadditional unit 16 for computing the time difference of the ultrasonicsignal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1.

By the action of the control signal, a part of codes of ultrasonicsignals digitized at the sampling rate of “f₁” that have passed counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1will appear at the out-port 61.out of the second switch 61.

Transmitted from the out-port 57.out of the first switch 57 (see FIG. 5)to the first in-port 63.1.in of the first multiplier 63 is a part ofcodes of ultrasonic signals digitized with the sampling rate of “f₁”that have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline 1. Codes of ultrasonic signals are sent to the firstin-port 64.1.in of the first delay line 64 from the out-port 105.out ofthe memory unit 105 (from pin 106, see FIG. 8) of the ultrasonic signalsource 6 (to pin 66, which is the fifth in-port 16.5.in of theadditional unit 16 for computing the time difference of the ultrasonicsignal transmission in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, and then via 90° phase changer 65),whereas pulses at the sampling rate of “f₁” (shown in FIG. 7, pos. ‘g’)are sent from the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 (frompin 92, see FIG. 6) to the second in-port 64.2.in of the first delayline 64 (to pin 67 (see FIG. 5), which is the seventh in-port 16.7.in ofthe additional unit 16 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1. By each leading edge of thecontrol signals, the delay time of the first delay line 64 changes byone interval equal to “1/f₁”, which ensures sending the signal shiftedby 90° in phase in relation to the codes of ultrasonic signals from theout-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6 and delayed for “0÷N”sampling rate intervals (depending on the number of the control signalleading edge) to the second in-port 63.2.in of the first multiplier 63.

The first multiplier 63 performs the point-by-point multiplication ofthe codes sent to its first, 63.1.in, and second, 63.2.in, in-ports. Theresult of code multiplication is transmitted to the in-port 68.in of thesecond adder 68. Following the summation of the products of therespective points of incoming signal, the value of correlation functionfor the selected part of codes of ultrasonic signals digitized at thesampling rate of “f₁” that have passed in the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium 1, and the delayed signal phase shifted by 90° inrelation to ultrasonic signal codes received from the output 6.out ofthe ultrasonic signal source 6 will be calculated.

Controlled by the trailing edge of impulses sent from the third out-port17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from the out-port 91.out of the firstswitch 91, from pin 92, to pin 67, and to the second in-port 69.2.in ofthe first RAM 69), the obtained correlation function value is enteredinto the first RAM 69. Thus, after “N” control signal impulses havepassed from the third out-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17, thefirst RAM 69 contains mutual correlation function of a part of codes ofultrasonic signals, digitized at the sampling rate of “f₁” that havepassed in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium 1, with thesignal phase shifted by 90° in relation to ultrasonic signals receivedfrom the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6.

The calculated mutual correlation function is equal, within constantfactor, to the sine of the delay value for the signal that has passed inthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, inrelation to the ultrasonic signal codes of the ultrasonic signal source6. Therefore, the mutual correlation function will cross the zero levelat the moment corresponding to zero delay between the received codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, and the signal phase shifted by 90°in relation to ultrasonic signal codes received from the out-port 6.outof the ultrasonic signal source 6.

In order to specify the delay time of the codes that have passed in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, theobtained digitized mutual correlation function is applied to the in-port70.in of the first interpolator 70, which increases the sampling rate ofthe mutual correlation function up to “m·f₁”, where “m”>>1.

The output signal of the first interpolator 70 from the output 70.out issent to the in-port 71.in of the first zero-detector 71, whichdetermines the reference address code of the re-digitized mutualcorrelation function by the reference value closest to zero. Thereference address code of the re-digitized mutual correlation function,whose value is closest to zero is sent from the output 71.out of thezero-detector 71 to the in-port 72.in of the first code-to-codeconverter 72. Generated at the out-port 72.out of the code-to-codeconverter 72 is the delay time code for the codes of ultrasonic signalsthat have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline 1 within one interval of sampling rate “f₁” according tothe ratio: ΔT₁=AΔT₁/m·f₁, where ΔT₁ is the code of time of theultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1 within one interval of sampling rate“f₁”; AΔT₁ is the code of the position address of the correlationfunction maximum value written in the RAM 26; m is the number that ismuch greater than 1; and f₁ is the sampling rate.

Thus delivered at the out-port 72.out of the first code-to-codeconverter 72 (see FIG. 5) will be the value of delay time of theultrasonic signals that have gone in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1 calculated within one interval ofsampling rate “f₁” accurate to 1/m·f₁, where m>>1.

A part of the codes of ultrasonic signals that have passed counter theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 digitized at thesampling rate of “f₁” is sent from the out-port 61.out of the secondswitch 61 (see FIG. 5) to the first in-port 73.1.in of the secondmultiplier 73. Delivered to the first in-port 74.1.in of the seconddelay line 74 (in fact, to pin 66, which is the fifth in-port 16.5.in ofthe additional unit 16 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, and then via the 90° phasechanger 65) from the out-port 105.out of the memory unit 105 (from pin106, see FIG. 8) of the ultrasonic signal source 6 are codes ofultrasonic signals, and sent to the second in-port 74.2.in of the delayline 74 (to pin 67 (see FIG. 5), which is the seventh in-port 16.7.in ofthe additional unit 16 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1) are the impulses (see FIG.7, pos. ‘g’, impulses with the sampling rate of “f₁”) from the thirdout-port 17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from pin 92 (see FIG. 6). Byeach leading edge of the control signals, delay time of the delay line74 changes by one interval equal to “1/f₁”, which ensures sending thesignal 90°-shifted in relation to the codes of ultrasonic signals anddelayed for “0÷N” sampling rate intervals (depending on the controlsignal leading edge number) to the second in-port 73.2.in of the secondmultiplier 73 from the out-port 6.out of the ultrasonic signal source 6.

The second multiplier 73 performs the point-by-point multiplication ofthe codes sent to its first, 73.1.in, and second, 73.2.in, in-ports. Thecode multiplication result is sent to the in-port 75.in of the thirdadder 75.

Following the summation of the products of the respective points ofincoming signal, the value of correlation function for the selected partof codes of ultrasonic signals, digitized with the sampling rate of “f₁”that have passed counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium 1, and of the delayed signal phase shifted by 90° in relation toultrasonic signal codes received from the out-port 6.out of theultrasonic signal source 6 will be calculated and provided at the output75.out of the third adder 75.

By the trailing edge of the impulses sent from the third out-port17.3.out of the control driver 17 (from the out-port 91.out of the firstswitch 91, from pin 92 (see FIG. 6)), to pin 67 (see FIG. 5) and thesecond in-port 76.2.in of the second RAM 76) the obtained correlationfunction value is written into the second RAM 76. Thus, after “N”control signal impulses have passed from the third out-port 17.3.out ofthe control driver 17, the second RAM 76 contains mutual correlationfunction of a part of codes of ultrasonic signals digitized at thesampling rate of “f₁” that have passed counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium 1 with the signal phase shifted by 90° inrelation to ultrasonic signals received from the out-port 6.out of theultrasonic signal source 6.

The calculated mutual correlation function is equal, within constantfactor, to the sine of the signal delay value relative to the codes ofthe signals of the ultrasonic signal source 6. Consequently, the mutualcorrelation function will cross the zero level at the momentcorresponding to zero delay between the received codes of ultrasonicsignals that have passed counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1, and the signal phase shifted by 90°in relation to ultrasonic signals received from the out-port 6.out ofthe ultrasonic signal source 6.

In order to specify the delay codes that have passed counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, theobtained digitized mutual correlation function is sent to the in-port77.in of the second interpolator 77, which increases the sampling rateof the mutual correlation function up to “m·f₁”, where “m”>>1.

The output signal of the second interpolator 77 is sent from its output77.out to the in-port 78.in of the second zero-detector 78, whichdetermines the reference address code of the re-digitized mutualcorrelation function by the reference value closest to zero. Thereference address code of the re-digitized mutual correlation function,whose value is closest to zero is sent to the in-port 79.in of thesecond code-to-code converter 79. Generated at the out-port 79.out ofthe code-to-code converter 79 is the delay time code for the codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline 1 within one interval of samplingrate “f₁”, according to the ratio:ΔT ₂ =AΔT₂ /m·f ₁, whereΔT₂ is the code of the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1within one interval of sampling rate “f₁”; AΔT₂ is the code of positionaddress of the correlation function maximum value written in the RAM 37;m is the number that is much greater than 1; and f₁ is the samplingrate.

Thus, at the out-port 79.out of the second code-to-code converter 79(see FIG. 5) the delay time of the ultrasonic signals that have gonecounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1 within one interval of sampling rate “f₁” will be presentedcalculated accurate to 1/m·f₁, where m>>1. The code of the delay timeΔT₁ for ultrasonic signals that have passed in the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline within one interval of samplingrate “f₁” is sent from the out-port 72.out of the first code-to-codeconverter 72 to the first in-port 80.1.in of the fourth adder 80.

The code of the delay time ΔT₁ for ultrasonic signals that have passedin the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipelinewithin one interval of sampling rate “f₁” is sent from the out-port72.out of the first code-to-code converter 72 to the first in-port80.1.in of the fourth adder 80. The code of the delay time ΔT₂ forultrasonic signals that have passed counter the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline within one interval of samplingrate “f₁” is sent from the out-port 79.out of the second code-to-codeconverter 79 to the second (inverted) in-port 80.2.in of the fourthadder 80.

The code of difference ΔT₀ of time intervals between ultrasonic signalsthat have passed in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1 is sent from the second out-port15.2.out of the unit 15 for computing the time difference of theultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 (from the out-port 48.out ofthe peak detector 48, from pin 49, see FIG. 4) to the sixth input16.6.in of the additional unit 16 for computing the time difference ofthe ultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 (to pin 81 and then tothe third in-port 80.3.in of the fourth adder 80, see FIG. 5).

As a result of summing up the codes received by the first, 80.1.in,second (inverted), 80.2.in, and the third, 80.3.in, in-ports of thefourth adder 80, delivered to its out-port 80.out is the code of theaccurate difference of time intervals between ultrasonic signals thathave passed in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 according to the formulaΔT=ΔT ₀ +ΔT ₁ −ΔT ₂,where:ΔT is the code of the accurate difference of time intervals betweenultrasonic signals that have passed in and counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline; ΔT₀ is the code ofdifference of traveling time between ultrasonic signals that have passedin and counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline; ΔT₁ is the code of time of ultrasonic signal transmission inthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipelinewithin one interval of sampling rate “f₁”; and ΔT₂ is the code of timeof ultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow ofthe controlled medium in the pipeline within one interval of samplingrate “f₁”.

Sent from the out-port 16.out of the additional unit 16 for computingthe time difference of the ultrasonic signal transmission in and counterthe direction of the flow of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1(from the out-port 80.out of the fourth adder 80 and then from pin 82,see FIG. 5) to the first in-port 18.1.in of the unit 18 for computingthe volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 is thecode of the accurate difference of the time intervals between ultrasonicsignals that have passed in and counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline 1.

Coming from the out-port 14.out of the unit 14 for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the flow of the controlled mediumin the pipeline to the second in-port 18.2.in of the unit 18 forcomputing the volume flow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline1 is the code of time intervals between the ultrasonic signals sent intothe controlled medium and the ultrasonic signals that have passedcounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline 1.

Coming from the second out-port 13.2.out of the unit 13 for computingthe time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 to the third in-port 18.3.inof the unit 18 for computing the volume flow rate of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1 is the code of time intervals between theultrasonic signals sent into the controlled medium and the ultrasonicsignals that have passed in the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline 1.

According to the codes sent to the first, 18.1.in, second, 18.2.in, andthird, 18.3.in, in-ports of the unit 18 for computing the volume flowrate of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, it computes the volumeflow rate (Q) of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1 using theformula:

${Q = {\frac{\Delta\; T}{\left( {T_{1} - \tau} \right)\left( {T_{2} - \tau} \right)} \cdot k}},{{where}\text{:}}$ΔT—the code of accurate difference of time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in and counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline; T₁—the code of time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium inthe pipeline; T₂—the code of time of ultrasonic signal transmissioncounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline; τ—the constant value that depends on the dimension geometryand materials of the transmitting-receiving radiators of ultrasonicsignals; and κ—a proportionality factor depending on the geometricdimensions inside the pipeline 1.

From the out-port 18.out of the unit 18 for computing the volume flowrate of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, the measurement resultis sent to the in-port 19.in of the unit 19 for indicating the volumeflow rate of the controlled medium in the pipeline 1, to be presented,e.g., on a display.

Thus, by using the correlation measuring method, increasing the samplingrate by using interpolators, and adding the additional unit forcomputing the time difference of the ultrasonic signal transmission inand counter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium in thepipeline, the proposed device for measuring the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline allows obtaining more accuratecomputation of the delay time difference of the digital codes ofultrasonic signals that have passed in and counter the direction of theflow of the controlled medium in the pipeline, to eventually achieve ahigher accuracy when determining the volume flow rate of the controlledmedium in the pipeline.

Therefore, the proposed technical solution is believed to take itswell-deserved position among known devices used for analogous purposes.

1. A device for measuring the volume flow rate of a controlled medium ina pipeline, comprising: a source of ultrasound signals, having anin-port and an out-port; a first transmitting-receiving radiator ofultrasonic signals installed on the pipeline with the controlled medium,having an in-port/out-port pin; a second transmitting-receiving radiatorof ultrasonic signals installed on the pipeline with the controlledmedium, shifted in the direction of flow of the controlled medium incomparison with the first transmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonicsignals, and having an in-port/out-port pin; a first multiplexer, havinga first and a control in-ports and a first and a second out-ports; asecond multiplexer, having a first, a second, and a control in-ports andan out-ports; a control driver, having a first, a second, and a thirdout-ports; an amplifier of ultrasound signals, having an in-port and anout-port; a unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium inthe pipeline, having a first, a second, and a third in-ports and a firstand a second out-ports; a unit for computing the time of ultrasonicsignal transmission counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium in the pipeline, having a first, a second, and a third in-portsand an out-port; a unit for computing the difference between the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline (“a time difference computingunit”), having a first, a second, and a third in-ports and a first and asecond out-ports; a unit for determining the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium in the pipeline, having a first, a second, and a thirdin-ports and an out-port; a digital-to-analog converter, having a firstand a second in-ports and an out-port; an analog-to-digital converter,having a first and a second in-ports and an out-port; a memory unit,having a first and a second in-ports and a first and a second out-ports;and an additional unit for computing the difference between the time ofultrasonic signal transmission in and counter the direction of the flowof the controlled medium in the pipeline (“an additional time differencecomputing unit”), having seven in-ports and an out-port; the firstout-port of the control driver being connected to the control in-portsof the first and second multiplexers and to the second input of thememory unit; the second out-port of the control driver being connectedto the in-port of the source of ultrasound signals, and to the secondin-ports of the digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters; thethird out-port of the control driver being connected to the seventhin-port of the additional time difference computing unit, and to thethird in-ports of the unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signaltransmission in the direction of the flow of the controlled medium, ofthe unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmissioncounter the direction of the flow of the controlled medium, and of thetime difference computing unit; the out-port of the source of ultrasoundsignals being connected to the fifth in-port of the additional timedifference computing unit, to the first in-port of the digital-to-analogconverter, and to the second in-ports of the unit for computing the timeof ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium and of the unit for computing the time of ultrasonicsignal transmission counter the direction of the flow of the controlledmedium; the out-port of the digital-to-analog converter being connectedto the first in-port of the first multiplexer; the first out-port of thefirst multiplexer being connected to the pin of the firsttransmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals connected to thefirst in-port of the second multiplexer; the second out-port of thefirst multiplexer being connected to the pin of the secondtransmitting-receiving radiator of ultrasonic signals connected to thesecond in-port of the second multiplexer; the out-port of the secondmultiplexer being connected to the in-port of the amplifier ofultrasound signals; the out-port of the amplifier of ultrasound signalsbeing connected to the first in-port of the analog-to-digital converter;the out-port of the analog-to-digital converter being connected to thefirst in-port of the memory unit; the first out-port of the memory unitbeing connected to the first in-ports of the unit for computing the timeof ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium, of the time difference computing unit, and of theadditional time difference computing unit; the second out-port of thememory unit being connected to the first in-port of the unit forcomputing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission counter thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium, and to the secondin-ports of the time difference computing unit and of the additionaltime difference computing unit; the first out-port of the unit forcomputing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in the direction ofthe flow of the controlled medium being connected to the third in-portof the additional time difference computing unit; the second out-port ofthe unit for computing the time of ultrasonic signal transmission in thedirection of the flow of the controlled medium being connected to thethird in-port of the unit for determining the volume flow rate of thecontrolled medium; the out-port of the unit for computing the time ofultrasonic signal transmission counter the direction of the flow of thecontrolled medium being connected to the second in-port of the unit fordetermining the volume flow rate of the controlled medium; the firstout-port of the time difference computing unit being connected to thefourth in-port of the additional time difference computing unit; thesecond out-port of the time difference computing unit being connected tothe sixth in-port of the additional time difference computing unit; theout-port of the time difference computing additional unit beingconnected to the first in-port of the unit for determining the volumeflow rate of the controlled medium.